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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the  oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
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‎Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
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‎The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
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‎The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
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‎It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
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‎Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
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‎“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
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‎“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
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‎“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
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‎“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
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‎“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
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‎Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The haulage subsidiary of the SIFAX Conglomerate, SIFAX Logistics Company Ltd has acquired 13 brand-new trucks out of the 200 targeted to boost her operations.

The trucks, which are 33 tons of 6×4 MAN diesel vehicles with 400 horsepower, will help the company increase its market share and competitiveness in long-distance and interstate deliveries.

Adewale Adetayo, General Manager, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, disclosed this at the unveiling of the 13 brand-new trucks.

According to him, the additions became necessary following an upsurge in demand for the company’s haulage services across the country.

He said: “To maintain our market dominance and expansion to various new routes within the country, management decided to embark on the purchase of these new trucks. Our target is to expand rapidly and we have mapped out a strategic plan to acquire 200 new trucks before the end of the 2024 business year. This will be done in phases and we have started with 13 for now. We hope to buy another 20 in the next phase of our acquisition plan.”

He explained that the company went for the MAN diesel brand, a German product, because of its high rating in the logistics ecosystem, durability, load-bearing capability, driving stability, and adaptability.

In his remarks during the unveiling, Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, noted that the company has always braved the odds to invest more in the Nigerian economy during downtimes.

“We are aware many businesses are not favorably disposed to investing at this moment due to the prevailing economic reality. But the reality is that some economic activities like production and movement of goods will almost always demand haulage services even in challenging times.”

He said SIFAX is scaling up through the acquisition of the trucks because of the huge potential in the industry.

“The economic outlook for the country is looking bright and we know that once the economy bounces back, we would reap the rewards of our investments.”

“Many businesses, both existing and potential clients, continue to reach out to us due to the credibility and efficiency we have achieved over the years. To meet these agreements, we need a larger fleet”, Afolabi added.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners In Nigeria (ASSIMPIN) has called on the current leadership under His Royal Majesty, Eze Ambassador Damian Obianigwe, to conduct an election without further delay. This is with the aim to inject new blood into the leadership after a very long period of leadership inertia which has stagnated growth contrary to the dream of the founding fathers.

As stated in an ASSIMIN press release jointly signed by the the Chairman and Secretary, Chief Boniface Okoye and Osita Chukwu respectively, the umbrella body of Igbo practitioners in the freight forwarding trade expressed disgust at the state of affairs in the association whereby those in power have, for the past twelve years, refused to conduct election even as thy have failed to add value to the body.

The elders condemned, in strong terms, the inability of the current leadership to obey the stipulations of the constitution especially as regards tenure.

The elders are worried that one of them, Prince Ozo Chukwura who was chosen about fourteen years ago to assist and direct the President-General to ensure that the right steps are taken to move the body forward has completely failed in his duty.

“We the elders of the Igbo Maritime Forum of ASSIMPIN are hereby writing to register our utter disgust at the state of our formerly revered Association.”

“We chose Prince Ozo Chukwura about fourteen years ago as a well-grounded maritime professional to help guide the president general in shepherding this Association to greatness”.

ASSIMPIN noted with displeasure, what it referred to as the seemingly unshakable bad support that Prince Chukwura has accorded the President- General, His Royal Majesty, Ambassador Damian Obianigwe, thus, making him unable to show good leadership. The President-General, the statement added, has not added much value to the Association.

“It is also on record that Chief Obianigwe was voted to serve a two-year tenure, but has now spent almost fourteen years at the position. These have happened with the unflinching support of Prince Ozo Chukwura to the president general. All entreaties for him to guide the president general and grant some good advice to him have not been heeded to”.

“We also want to state that the flimsy and illegitimate excuse of lack of biometrics capture by members for the conduct of an election is not tenable as it is unconstitutional”.

The present leadership, the statement said, should make the right move towards having a free and fair election so as to enthrone what it calls an efficient executive to take over the mantle of leadership.